Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1887-07-28
TO THE LAST.

UNSELFIS!I TO THE LAST.
"Do you really and truly love me.
MollyP"
As Richard Grahame spoke he took
the fair oval face between his broad
palms and bent it so that he could
look into the soft blue eyes.
Molly bore the gaze bravely, al
though the light in the dark, searching
eyes was almost binding. 1t would
have caused blush to rise to the
vclyety cheeks had the girl been con-
scious of acting falsely. But she was
sincere as she said softly:
"Of course | love YOU, Richard.
How could l help it? You, who have
always been so Kind to me, are surely
the one of all others whom l ought to
love best"
But the calm sisterly affection which
filed Molly Blaine's heart for Grahame
was far from being reflex of the
surging tide of passion which over
flowed his own so completely that
every thought of the future, every
hope of his life, was centred about her,
as is the solar system about its glow
ing heart-the sun.
He bent and kissed the red pouting
lips.
MY little Molly" he murmured, lit
win make me happy while | am away
from you to know that even as l love
you, so do you love me. Goodbye
now, darling. Remember that the
days will drag slowly to your Richard
until the one comes which will bring
him back to you. Nothing but death
can keep us apart"
Another kiss, and he tore himself
away, and stepped into his boat. 1t
grated for an instant on the glittering
sands. and then flew over the blue
waters like thing of life, propelled
by Richards strong arms.
Molly stood and.watched him tear
fully until he at last reached the side
of his staunch waiting vessel, and dis
appeared from sight.
He was the first mate in whaler.
and another hour saw his ship on its
outward bound voyage, which was to
last until sufficient success attended
upon the efforts of the crew to warrant
their return.
Richard was twenty-five years old,
and Molly was sixteen.
She was as fair and sweet as rose
just unfolding its petals to the balmy
air, which gives such subtle charm
to a morning in June.
Shy as bird who dwclls amid the
most thickly-embowered retreats of
the forest-for she had been reared in
q secluded woodland home, seeing no
companions of her own age, and
knowing nothing whatever of the
world. excepting as it had been re-
vealed to her by Richards descriptions
of what he had seen-how could the
girl know that in reality she was Civ
ing a poor return to him for the wealth
of affection he lavished SO freely upon
her?
They were foster brother and sister,
Richards father had married her wild
owed mother, and she had grown up
under the same roof with him. No
wonder that in her ignorance she mis-
took her calm sisterly love for him for
that browning passion of which, as
yet, she knew absolutely nothing.
The cottage in which Molly lived
was situated in a spot Of picturesque
beauty. A huge pine-covcred noun
tain reared its stately head towards
the sky in the background; and a
sparkling brook, born amid its lonely
wilds, came leaping and tumbling
down from its parent spring, as though
glad of its release just before it
reached the cottage sward, some huge
boulders diverted it from its course,
and the waters divided to meet again
in frantic caress upon the other side
of the rocks, spreading out eventually
into wide, CLASSY pool which lay like
a mirror, fringed by grass and wild
flowers. Here Molly would bring her
sewing or knitting, and sit by the hour
her busy thoughts keeping time to
the play of her slender fingers.
But one day an interruption came to
the sylvan loneliness of the favored
spot. A young tourist found it out,
and charmed by its beauty, drew forth
his sketch-book to perpetuate the pic
ture. While thus engaged, his eyes
suddenly rested upon an even more
engrossing object. Molly, as yet I'M
conscious of n strangers vicinity,
came tripping along, her red lips trill-
ing song.
Then she saw the new conner and
paused, one foot poised for flight, her
eyes large and round with surprise,
and bushes burning upon her cheeks
beneath his admiring but respectful
gaze.
He rose hastily and came forward.
pardon the intrusion, he said de-
ferentially, ''but it is rare to find such
a gem of nature which has not already
been seized upon by one of our sketch
ing fraternity. Will you allow me to
finish my work?"
Eyes, was Molly's answer, given as
frankly and kindly as though she had
not been thoroughly amazed and
startled at finding him there, "and il
you like will bring you a chair from
the house 50 that you can be more
comfortable.
Thanks. The old stump answers
the purpose just as well. But you can
do me favor if you will be so kind.
Let me draw you also"
Molly hesitated; but the Stranger
face was one of those frank ingenious
ones which at once attract confidence.
SO she said at last:
Il am willing to give you permission
to put me in your picture; but may
ask my mother first? She might not
ike it,
Certainly. If any objections exist
l will at once withdraw my request,
was the prompt answer.
But Mrs. Blaine was pleased at the
idea, and then commenced q series Of
sittings which were prolonged far be
yond the usual time taken up by mos
artists for that purpose. For Cecil
Norwood had drunk in draughts o.
love from the pure frank eyes of this
young sylvan beauty, and was glad o.
an excuse to linger near her.
And Molly? All, all too late for hel
peace, she at last learned what it wa'
/ ~ cr,rran1ar. bar whnla heart intn thf